Quick-release fastener



April 21, 1953 F. B. HARLEY QUICK-RELEASE FASTENER Filed June 6, 1949 Patented Apr. 21, 1953 QUICK-RELEASE FASTENER Frank Bernard Harley, Camberley, England, assignor to Aerolex Limited, Camberley, England Application June 6, 1949, Serial No. 97,451

In Great Britain October 29, 1948 18 Claims.

- \Thisinvention relates to quick-release fastenersfor use in releasablyholding two parts together against relative sliding movement.

According to the present invention one part of a quick-release fastener comprises a catch vvhich is formed with an abutment surface while the other part,- which is formed slidably to receive the catch part, is fitted with a locking pin formed with a locking surface extending transversely to theline of sliding movement of the catch and With a backed-off releasing surface, and the pin 1 is mounted for movement against return spring means in a rotary sense to carry its backed-off surface toua freeing position in which it is opposed'to the abutment on the catch and in a -longitudinal transverse sense to move clear of the abutment on the catch part.

l; When the piniis in its locking positiomits locking1 surface extends transversely to the action -=of:: the load to which the fastener is connected sothat'the force tending to move the two parts :':;0f the catch apart, acts in the direction normal I to the locking surface which thus affords a posi- ;.tive look: by moving the pin rotatably, the b ackecl-off surface is carried round to be presented to the abutment on the catch part and as ..a;result the force acts either to assist or to force ,of itself the longitudinal movement of the pin to clear the abutment, the pin being returned automatically by the spring means to its locking posi- ,tion. I The locking pin would usuallynbe: of circular cross-section or at least the operative face would be. part-circular formed, the curvature being effected about the axis of rotary movement: as ,Qth load exerted on the pin is normal to its lock- I'ing surface, this arrangement enables thepin to .T be moved rotatably without difficulty: in most cases, the pin would be arranged for operation by an operating member which when turned to 'move the pin rotatably also moves the pin longitudinally by cam action.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of alockingdevice as it would be fitted in for example a safety belt arrangement for use by the passengers of aircraft, Figure 2 a plan view of Figure 1, and Figures 3 and 4 are detail views of I the locking part of the device: Figure 5 is a side elevation of a modification and Figure 6 is a sec- I tional elevation of a further modification.

Referring first to Figures 1-4, the quick release I connector comprises two parts I, '2 of which the .part I forms the catch part which is formed by flat platehaving an abutmentssurface3 which is constituted by the wall of a hole formed in that part Lthis part I being formed also with an opening 4 to enable one end of a strap 5 to be secured by looping and sewing at 6 to that part. The other part 2 is in the form of a holder comprised by a shallow sheath part 7, into which the flat plate I can be fitted from one end, this sheath having at the end opposite the open end of the sheath openings 8 to receive one end of a second strap 9 which is secured against withdrawal by rolling or doubling the strap 9 as indicated at Ill, this loop in the strap enablingthe strap to be adjusted by being pulled through the openings 8. I

The part 2 has mounted in it a locking pin, II

* whichis movable rotatably and is slidable longi- 'tudinally of itself and transversely tothe line of movement of the catch plate I into the holder 2, the pin being mounted for such movement in a sleeve extension I2 of the sheath 1: the lower end of the pin is formed with a backed-off surfaceI3 and the pin is acted on by a spring I4 which biases the pin both against longitudinal and rotary movement from the locking position shownin-Figures 3 and 4 in which the pin extends at'its lower end to lie across the receiving recess of the sheath and with its backed-off surface I3 facing the receiving mouth I5 of the sheath.

Thepin has secured to its outer end an operating component which can be in the form of a I disc I6 as indicated in Figures 1-4 or in the form of a lever I1, the disc or the lever being mounted I of the sheath'l. I I

for rotary movement on the sleeve extension I2 I When the parts are in the locking position shown in Figure 3 and 4, i. e. with the pin I I extending across the opening of the sheath I and 1 :with the'pin turned to present its backed-off end I3 towards the mouth I5, if the plate part I is afittedinto the sheath, its leading end engages the backed-off end I3 of the pin and;consequently the continued movement of the plate .3 camsor lifts the pin until against the action of ;versely to the sliding movement of the plate, the loading reaction between the surface of the pin 7 and the abutment 3 is normal to that surface which by being guided by the sleeve extension I2 is well adapted to withstand that reaction since it does not tend to displace the pin.

The locking surface of the pin is not only arranged transversely to the sliding movement of the plate: it is also formed by the curved surface of the pin which is cylindrical in crosssection. By this arrangement, thev pin can readily be turned about its axisby turning the disc I6 or the lever I'I. Such turning movement carries the backed-off end I3 of the pin through 180 from the position shown in Figure 4 to the position in which the backed-off surface is 'fac ing the abutment surface 3 on the plate I. Any load on the straps 5, 9 is now-applied to' the backed-01f surface which causes the pin I I to be cammed to move longitudinally until finally the lower end of the pin is clear of theplate I which can now be completely withdrawn from the sheath 1.

Thus, by a simple turning movement of the disc I6, the connector can be freed,the freeing actionbeing the greatenthe greater is the loading to which the connector is subjected.

The lever I! can be employed in those cases where aprovision-has to be made to release "trapped occupants of a vehicle from outside the vehicle: the lever I1 could be engaged readily by a hooked component such as a walking-stick for example'and to facilitate such use, the lever can be formed' with a projection I8 to enable the hook .to obtain the necessary purchase. "the pin' II into freeing position','it is necessary deliberately to turn'the pin against its restoring .bias of the spring I4 but this is an operation 'which can be effected'by one hand of the user.

This rendersthe invention especially useful as the quick-release fastening for safety belts used on aircraft and also for parachute harness where the ability to release the connection quickly and To move with one hand is an important consideration.

In the arrangement as so far described, the re- .lease operation requires the operator merely to turn the pin I I it is however preferred to arrange that the turning of the'pin I I alsoeffects a longitudinal movement of the pin by a positive cam action: this is effected in the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 by providing a sleeve extension I9 to the disc' I6 and forming the lower edge -with a cam surface 20 which is held by the spring i I4 against a reaction peg 2I securedto the sleeve I2: as the disc is turned to present the backed-off surface! 3 to the abutmentsurface 3, the cam 26 and peg 2| co-operate to lift the pin to clear the plate I: this operation overcomes any tendency for the pin II to be sluggish .in freeing the catch plate I.

In thearrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 the disc I6 is fast with the locking pin II andit -is therefore possible to effect release by moving the disc (and with it the pin). axially until the pin clears the catch plate: this may be undesirable in certain uses and another arrangement is .proposed which ensures that release can be effected only by turning the disc.

'24 to move it axially by operation of the disc and the head leaving that wall when the pin is forced out by the catch part I.

The pin II is mounted in the disc I6 to turn with it so that when the disc is turned the backed-off surface of the pin is caused correspondingly to be turned this being effected by providing the pin II with a key 25 slidable in a key-way 26 in a sleeve extension 21 of the disc.

The single spring I4 can be replaced by two separate springs, one for applying the longitudinal bias and the other for the rotary biaswtothe locking pin. Y

It is to be understood that while some of the more important uses of the quick-release fastening of this invention have been referred to -the invention is capable of general application-as a quick-release fastener.

What I claim is:

1. A quick-release connector comprising 5 a catch component. having an abutment surface,- a

locking component which slidably receives the catch component, and a locking-pin1havingaa locking surface and abacked-off releasingzsurface, the locking pin being mounted. in thetlocking component for longitudinalmovementrtransverse to the sliding movementof the'catch component and for rotary. movement about;.itsown axis, the longitudinalmovement carrying; the locking surface from a normal position opposed to the abutment surface to a freeing position clear of that surface andthe rotary movement carrying the backed-off surface from a normal position to a freeing position opposed "to and acted upon by theabutment' surface to urgethe locking component to freeing" position, spring means urging the locking pin to its normal-po- I sition, and a cam device coaxial withsaid lock- This is illustrated in Figure 5 in which the disc I6 isprovided with a pin 22 which enters a box or positive cam groove 23 in the sleeve I2 on the vsheath I; thus it is only by turning the disc that it can be moved axially through the action of the cam which however prevents the disc from being moved by direct end pressure.

I A somewhat similar arrangement is shown in Figure 6 in which however the locking pin II is not secured to the disc I6 but it is connected to ing pin and having mechanical connection there- -with to effect movement thereof transverse-to Sliding movement of said catch component upon rotary movement of said locking pin.

2. A quick-release connector comprising a V catch plate formed with an abutment'surface; a

sheath component receiving'the catch plate; a locking pin mounted in the sheath component for rotary movement about its own axis and for longitudinal movement transverse to'the sliding movement of the catch plate, the locking pin having a locking surface which is moved by the longitudinal movement from its normal position opposed to the abutment surface to a release position clear of the abutment surface and the locking pin having a backed-off releasing surface which is carried by the rotary movement from a normal position remote from the abutment surface to a freeing position opposed to and'acted upon by that surface to urge the locking pin to freeing position, and combined compression and torsion spring means biasing the locking pin longitudinally, and rotatably to its normal posi- 3. A quick release connector comprising a catch component having an abutment surface,

a-locking component which slidablyreceives the ponent and for rotary movement about its own axisgithe longitudinal movement carrying the llockingsurface from a normal position opposed to the abutment surface to a freeingposition clear of that surface and the rotary movement carrying the backed-off surface from a normal position to a freeing position opposed to and acted upon .by the abutment surface to urge the pin to freeing .pos'ition, an operating component towrotate. the locking pin from normal to release position, anda cam device coaxial with said locking pin and having mechanical connection therewith to efiect movement of said locking pin transverse to sliding movement of said catch pin. a

4'; A quick release connector comprising a catch plate formed with an abutmentsurface, a sheath component receiving the catch'plate, a locking pin mounted in the sheath component for rotary smcomponent upon rotary movement of said locking -rnovement about its I own axis and for longitu- Ldinal movement transverse to the sliding movement of the catch plate, the locking pin having alocking surface which is moved by the longitu-' dinal movement from its normal position opposed to the abutment surface to a release position clear of the abutment surface and the locking pin having a backed-off releasing surface which is carried by the rotary movement from a normal position remote from the abutmentsurface to a freeing" position opposed to and acted upon by that surface to urge the pin to freeing position, an operating component to rotate the looking pin -from normal to release position, and a cam coaxial with and having mechanical con- :nectionwith saidlocking pin to eifect movement thereof transverse to the sliding movement of saidcatch plate upon rotary movement of said docking pin. I

5. A quick release connector comprising a catch component having an abutment surface, a looking component which slidably receives the catch component, and a locking pin having a locking surface and a backed-off releasing surface, the locking pin being mounted in the locking component for turning movement and for longitudinal movement transverse to the sliding movement of the catch component, the longitudinal movement carrying the locking surface from a normal position opposed to the abutment surface to a "freeing position clear of that surface and the turning movement carrying the backed-off surface from a normal position to a freeing position 'in which it is opposed to the abutment surface to urge the pin to slide to its freeing position,

i an operatingcomponent to turnthe locking pin, and-a cam device coaxial with said locking pin and operative upon rotation of said locking pin "to move it longitudinally from normal to release position.

6. A quick release connector comprising a catch surface and-the locking pin having a backed-oft releasing surface which is carried by the :turning movement from a normal positionremote from the abutment surface to a freeing position opposed to that surface, an operating component to turn the locking pin to presentlthe backed-off surface to the catch plate, and a cam device coaxial with said locking pin and operative to move the pin longitudinally from normal to release position upon the turning of said pin.

7. A quick release connector comprising a catch component having an abutment surface, a locking component which slidably receives the catch the path of said catch. component.

component, and a locking pin having a locking surface and a backed-off releasing surface, the locking pin beingmounted in the locking component for longitudinal movement transverse to the sliding movement of the catch component and for turning movement, the longitudinal movement carrying the locking surface from a normal position opposed to the abutment surface to ,a freeing position clear of that surface and the turning movement carrying the backedoff surface from a normal position to a freeing position opposed to and acted upon by the abutment surface to be urged to slide to freeing position, an operating component secured to the looking pin to move the backed-off surface from its normal position to its freeing position and cam mechanism, including a cam coaxial with said locking pin, causing turning movement of the pin to effect also longitudinal movement of the pin from locking position.

8. A quick release connector comprising a catch plate formed with an abutment surface, a sheath component receiving the catch plate, a locking pin mounted in the sheath component for turning movement and for longitudinalmovement transverse to the sliding movement of the catch plate, the locking pin having a locking surface which is moved by the longitudinal movement from its normal position opposed to theabutment surface to a release position clear of the abutment surface and the locking pin having also a backedoif releasing surface which is carried by the turning movement from a normal position remote from the abutment surface to a freein position opposed to and acted upon by that surface to be urged to move longitudinally to release position, an operating component secured to the=locking pin to turn the backed-off surface from its normal position to its freeing position and cam mechanism, including a cam coaxialwith said locking pin, to cause the pin to be also longitudinally moved from looking position as it is turned. i

9. A quick release connector comprising a catch component, a second component detachably receiving the catch component, and a locking component having a locking surface which is slidable-longitudinally into and out of a normal positionin the path of. the catch component and "which is formed with a sloping release-surface,

and means to rotate the locking component about its axis to carry the release surface from a nor- :mal positionr'emote from the catchcomponent to a releasing position opposed to that component, spring means urging the locking compo- ,nent to its normal position, and a cam device coaxial with said locking component and operative upon rotation thereof for moving it out of 10., A quick release connector comprising a ,catch component, asecond componentdetachably 'ageetisiv .trece'iv'ing the cat'ch component, a locking componentimounted in thesecond component toslide ttra'nsverselytto the movement of the catch com- :ponentand to turn 'onits own axis, the locking a componen'tihaving a lockingsurface parallel with :its :axis of turning movement and curved about surface opposed to the catch componentand with the backed-ofixsurface remote from the catch *componentan operating component mounted to moverotatably about the axislof the locking com- ;ponent, cam means'to' causethe rotary movement of thexoperatingcomponent to be effected also -bylongitudinal movem'ent'thereof in at least one direction, means connecting the locking pin to the operating member for turning movement therewith, and means to :transmit longitudinal :movement of the operating member to'the lock- .ing pin while .allowing'the pin to move longitudinally independently of the operating member.

11. A .quick release connector comprising .a catch member, a receiving memberslidably to receive the catch member, a lockingpin oi circular cross-sectionslidable axially in the receivingmember intoandout of the .path of the catch .member, .the lower end1of the pin being backedoff, springmeans biasing the lower end of the .pin into the pathof'the catch member and with ltssba'cked -off surface facing away from .the catch -member,:and anuoperating member connected to the pin to turn it to present thebacked-offsurface to the catch member.

-.l2..A .quick release connector comprising a tcatchimembena receiving member slidably to .:receive the catch member, a locking pin of circular cross-section slidable axially in the receivingimember into-and outofthe path of the catch .member, thelower end of the pin being 'backed-ofi spring means biasing the lower end .of the. pin into the path of thecatch memberand with its backed-01f surface facing away from the :catch member, an operating member for turningthelpin to present the backed-off surface to the catchmembenand cam means tocause the locking pin .to. move longitudinally when it vis turned by the-operating member.

13. A quick release connector comprising a .catch member, areceiving member slidably to re- 1ceive the catch=member, a locking pin ofcircular cross-section slidable axially in the receiving member into and-out of the path of the catch .member, thelower end of thepin .being backed- ..off, spring means biasing the lower .end of the pin into the path of the catch member .and with its backed-01f surface facing away from the catch member, an operating-member to turn the .pin to present thebacked-off surface to the catch .memberand cam means holding the locking pin againstlongitudinal movement exceptwhen the ;pin is turned by the operating component.

14. A quick release connector comprising a @catch member, a receiving member slidably to receive the catch member, .alocking pin of circu- =lar cross-section slidable'axiallyin the receiving .member into and out of thepath of the catch .member, the lower end of the pin being backedolf, spring means biasing the lower end of the .pin into the-path of the catch member and with its backed-off surface facing away from the catch member, .an'operating member to turn thepin to; present thebacked-oifzsurface to-the patchmember; .cam meansito cause the operating -member to move longitudinally when it is turned, means connecting th .lockjngpinfo turning and longitudinal movement with the'opment of said. catch component and for rotary movement about its own axis, one end ofsaid locking pin being transversely inclined to provide a locking surface and a backed-01f releasing surface, spring means normally urging saidipin to its locking position, the other end of :said pin having fixedtheretoan operating'i-element adapted-to positively rotate the pin to-andfrom locking position, and a cam device coaxial with said locking pin to simultaneously move the. pin longitudinally to projector retract the inclined end thereof whensaid pin is rotated.

16. A quick release connector comprisinga catch component, a second component detachably receiving the catch component, a locking component mounted'to turn in the second component and to slide therein transversely toithe movement of the catch component into andout of locking position in the path of the catch component, the locking component having a locking surface parallel with its axis of turning movement and curved about that axis and the locking component having also a releasing surface which is backed-off from the locking surface,

.spring means biasing the lockingcomponent to-a normal position with its locking'surface opposed 'to the catch component and with the backed-off .catch component, a second component detachably receiving the catch component, a locking component mounted to turn in the-second component and to slide therein transversely to the movement of 'the catch component intoandout of locking position in the path of the catch;component, the locking component having a looking surface parallel with itsaxis of turning'movement and curved about that axis and the locking component having also a releasing surface which is backed-01f from the locking surface, spring means biasing the locking pin to a normal position with the locking surface opposed to the catch component and with the backed-off surface remote from the catch component, an operating component to turn the locking component from its normal position to a positionin which the backed-off releasing surface ispresented to the catch component, and cam means, includingacam coaxial with said lockingcomponent, causing the turning movement of the locking component fromits normal positionto 18. A quick release connector comprising a catch component, a second component detachably receiving the catch component, a locking component mounted to turn in the second component and to slide therein transversely to the movement of the catch component into and out of its path of movement, the locking component having a locking surface parallel with its axis of turning movement and curved about that axis and the locking component having also a releasing surface which is backed-off from the locking surface, spring means biasing the looking component to a normal position with the locking surface opposed to the catch component and with the backed-off surface remote from the catch component, an operating component which is mounted to move rotatably about the axis of FRANK BERNARD HARLEY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,255,258 Lethern et a1 Sept. 9, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 5 Number Country Date 570,762 Great Britain July 20, 1945 

